Beni targets Mulayam again

Lucknow, March 23 (IANS) Barely had the controversy over his accusations on Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav died down, union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma Saturday again fired a salvo at his one-time party chief.

At a Congress rally attacking the SP government in Uttar Pradesh over the failing law and order situation, the minister, in an indirect attack on Mulayam Singh, said he failed to understand how could a man, who worked for the benefit of his family, claim to be a socialist.
He said the biggest socialists in the country were late prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Referring to his role in the Congress, Verma, who was earlier in the Samajwadi Party, said he had 20 more years in politics and would work hard to ensure that power into the hands of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.
Asked to respond on the protests and burning of his effigy by SP workers, Verma said this would only add to the his longevity.
At the same function, Congress leader P.L. Punia accused the SP government of fooling people.
“People are feeling let down and Congress will expose the Samajwadi Party government,” he said.
Some days back, Verma faced the ire of SP after he alleged that Mulayam Singh Yadav received “commission” for supporting the central government. Earlier, Verma had said Yadav had links with terrorists. He later expressed regret at his comments.